Application of Three-Dimensional Printers For Production of Personal Orbital Implants During Pandemics

Abstract

Objective:The production of personalized prosthesis depends on human resources and involves a manufacturing process in which patients are involved individually in. As the world is experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, less contact with the manufacturer is needed to stay safe. 3D printed prosthesis has reduced the need for human resource in the process, while allowing the patient to be completely removed from the design and manufacturing process. In this study an approach in which the patient is kept out of the manufacturing process was investigated. Material and Method:The prosthesis model was created by using the image data obtained from the medical imaging devices. The outer part of the prosthesis was shaped with a developed image sampling system. The model was produced using three-dimensional printer. A cytotoxic analysis of the raw material used in the manufacturing process was performed. Results:The total production cost of the orbital implants was approximately about 8$. The cytotoxic analysis showed that layered manufacturing strategies could be used to develop implants and prostheses applicable to patients. Conclusion:COVID-19 underlined the importance of social distancing which is hard to apply during manufacturing of an eye prosthesis. The manual method results in an eye prosthesis which suits well after numerous trials. On the contrary, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) based eye prosthesis designation and manufacturing is not only rapid but also flawlessly fitting due to precise measurement during the manufacturing.